Last First Day

Today marks my last first day of a college semester {this is why I'm holding up a 12}. It's so surreal, that I'm only 4 months away from that diploma! Of course all that excitement comes at a price...it's been ridiculous trying to sign up for my classes this semester. I decided over the break that instead of taking it easy with 6 credits, that I might as well re-declare my Communications minor & finish off the last 9 credits with classes I enjoy. 

All last week I called back and forth between the the Comms and Family Science offices, filled out graduation plans, and emailed the advisement assistants to finally get the thing declared in order to sign up for classes. I then rush to sign up for classes only to see that I would still need "departmental approval" to get them added to my schedule. What the?! *Sigh*

I know it'll eventually work itself out, but I hate that feeling of being all scattered that first week of school. As of right now, I have exactly 1 class for sure on my schedule...and I'm trying to add 3 more. Also meaning that I have not bought even one textbook. Eek! At least it's one step closer to that blessed graduation day? ;)

Budget Friendly College Books

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to graduate just so I can finally escape those ridiculous textbook prices! I have spent on average $150-$200 per semester on books, and being on a college budget..that much money hits my wallet hard.

I really wish I would have known about Campus Book Rentals earlier because of all the perks that come with their site, such as:
+ Saving 40-90% off of bookstore prices
+ Free shipping both ways
+ Flexible renting periods
+ Being able to highlight in the textbook
+ Plus, they donate to Operation Smile for every textbook rented!

Now they have a new program called Rent Back that allow students to rent out their own textbooks to fellow students, so they can make 2-4 times more cash than just selling back the book. How cool is that?! Check out this video for more information on what Rentback is all about.

Hitting the internet to find your college textbooks is the way to go these days, which is why Campus Book Rentals should be your first stop to finding books on a budget :)

End of Finals Countdown: T-4 days. 

End of Finals Countdown

I was totally feeling the Christmas spirit when I picked out this get-up the other day. How could you go wrong with red faux fur lined leggings, a cream sweater, olive scarf, fluffy pom pom beanie and boots with the fur...WITH THE FUR.

Although, as a college student it's difficult to really feel the Christmas spirit until after finals are over. You have one foot in Christmas and the other is drowning in finals. Feeling the holiday spirit is practically impossible when all you want to do is nap, then rip your hair out while studying!

One more week until I can actually relax, make holiday treats, and watch all the claymation movies my heart desires...one more week, my friends.

End of Finals Countdown: T-7 days.

Walkin' In a {Ridiculously Freezing} Winter Wonderland

Well my friends, it is absolutely and ridiculously freezing. Though, I actually think that we were blessed this year for the snow to start in December as opposed to last year when it started in October {gross!} Suffice it to say, last winter was a loooong and horrible one. This year I was able to thoroughly enjoy fall, and so I'm trying my best with winter!

First off, winter means over the top and adorable accessories. When else can you wear a truckload of fur, lipstick, or hats with flowers/fluffy pom poms/lotsa ribbon on them? Technically you can wear them other times of the year...but you'll probably look stupid {just to warn you.} I've been soaking up all the time I get to rotate all my cute gloves, coats, boots, wool skirts and tights because I know I'll miss them in a few months!

With this hard {& stressful} semester finally coming to an end and the temperatures dropping like crazy, I've made the conscious effort to really enjoy where I'm at. Thinking of every little thing I have to accomplish between now and next Wednesday makes my head spin! Though, if I only focus on taking it one day at a time then I start to slow down and appreciate the little things. Such as this gorgeous sunset reflecting off the snow & school buildings on my walk home after a long day of classes, it makes my heart feel so warm!

With all this snow, I was inspired to do a winter snow manicure! Not gonna lie, this was FREAKIN' HARD. I'm making the effort to be more creative with my nails, but I have possibly the most un-steady hand in the world {which is why I could never ever ever be a surgeon/nurse, that and the fact I gag at the sight of blood and skin lesions. Even typing it out makes me want to bleghhhh. Yet I digress...} Can't even tell you how many times I swiped off the color and started from ground zero when I would mess up on a snowflake. What made the victory of finally finishing this manicure even sweeter, was Ryan asking me when I put the nail decals on? SYKE. I painted them on! He was genuinely impressed, and it made me genuinely happy :) 

Weekend Update: Pasodoble + Thor

{Mock Competition for Samba from Oct.}

I know I'm writing this early for a weekend update, but I've already done all the exciting stuff I'm actually going to do for the entire weekend. Now it's just homework and being lazy around the house! Yesterday I competed in the BYU Dancesport competition with my partner Brandon in the Pasodoble. In the mock competition for Samba a while back we placed 3rd, which we were super stoked about. Even though we only made it to Quarterfinals {competing in a higher level} for Paso, it was a fun time & I'm proud that we made it a couple rounds :)

{Dancesport competition in Pasodoble}

Our latin dance teacher trains some of the best latin dancers in the country, so he is pretty intense when it comes to competition. So he instructed us that all the girls are supposed to have their hair slicked back, shiny, and in a tight bun. Ummm ya, that is really difficult. I used Ryan's hair gel and slathered that stuff on like no one's business then used at least 15 bobby pins to keep my bun in place. I also caked on the make-up & sunless tanner {and I'm still white as ever!} It's taken 2 showers & lots of shampoo to get all that gel out. Yuck!

After I competed we made our way over to the Riverwoods Lighting, where we drove into the parking lot then promptly turned around to leave. The traffic was CRAZY. I didn't think it was such a popular event, so I was surprised to see the place swamped with families in their snow coats. We decided to hit up the other side of Provo {to avoid all those people} and see Thor 2 at the Provo Towne Mall {which was actually really good, a lot better than the first movie.} It was a low-key night where we picked up some amazingly discounted sweaters from American Eagle, Panda Express in the food court, and hit up a 10pm showing of the movie. Just love those spur of the moment date nights :) Plus, I soooo want to start decorating for Christmas, but I can't bring myself to do it until after Thanksgiving! Old habits die hard my friends.

Music Theory Woes

{Remixed: F21 jacket}

I'd been putting off studying for my Music Theory test for ohhh about a week or so, anticipating the scary multitude of sharps and flats that would inevitably make me go cross-eyed. If any of you have taken piano lessons, you know how obnoxious and brutal music theory is. It is probably the least favorite thing ever for every music student known to man. Amongst all my procrastination, moaning, and groaning it then dawned on me...not many people have this opportunity. Why was I complaining?

This opportunity to sing, learn technique & theory, and have lessons every week to help build up my musical talent really is a blessing. I shouldn't be dragging my feet about learning major and minor key signatures. I should be taking advantage of all this knowledge so I can one day put it to use when teaching voice lessons or teaching my future children how to read music.

I sucked it up and studied all the key signatures, melodic and harmonic scales, and so forth. Said a little prayer then walked into the test a little nervous. Once the test was handed to me I wrote down everything I had memorized while it was still swirling around in my head. Then I started to notice that this test was pretty easy...actually SUPER easy. I finished in a half hour! With all my studying and focus, I was able to completely throw myself into the subject matter which made the test seem easy. If you can't get out of it, get into it right?

This whole semester is jam-packed with music-related courses and I'm really going to focus on having a better attitude about the mountain of work that comes with it. Because when am I going to have another time in my life where I'm required to practice music?

Practice, Practice, Practice

Wanna know why I'm here at 1 in the morning? I just really need a break from this English project that is currently frying my brain in a saucepan {if you were curious, I'm writing a children's magazine article about how Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire brought romance and hope to American audiences during the Great Depression, cool huh?} Anyways, I'm just thinking about how this semester is going to be a crazy one. Although none of my classes are difficult in the scholastic sense, my schedule is grueling because it takes so much time. 

Piano lessons? 5 hours a week. 

Voice lessons? 3 hours a week. 

Conducting? 2 hours a week. 

Latin dance? 2-3 hours a week. 

Choir class? A 3 hour retreat & 2 concert reports. 

Did I mention that these are just practice hours and that they are in addition to the time I already spend in class? Plus, I still have Intro to Jazz, Music Fundamentals, and Writing About Arts & Humanities sprinkled in with the classes above. {Which comes to a total of 14 credits and 8 separate courses}.

{My 25-minute walk home from school}

Even though I might twitch and complain about the workload sometimes {and it might occasionally be warranted}...I secretly love every minute. I literally sang all day today. This morning in voice lesson, when practicing piano, during University Chorale, driving to and from school, then finally during my 2 hour Conducting class. Have I mentioned that singing is one of my top 3 most favorite things in the world? It's pretty awesome that I'm technically "required" to sing, dance, and play the piano every day...my new neighbors downstairs are gonna loooove me ;)

Weekend Update: BYU Football Monsoon

My parents were in Utah for a cousin's wedding and decided to make a quick weekend trip out of it by staying with Ryan & I for a couple nights {plus they dropped off my Lucille, yessss!}. We snagged tickets for the BYU vs. Texas game on Saturday because even though both my parents attended BYU, my dad had only been to one game while my mom had never even been in the stadium!

We got all decked out in our BYU gear, grabbed our anoraks for the 40% chance of rain, hopped in the car, and made our way over to campus to find a close parking spot. When getting out of the car, we noticed that the dark clouds were quickly moving towards Provo, in a creepy Wizard-of-Oz-flying-monkeys-are-coming-to-attack-you sort of way. We brushed it off thinking that it would pass over soon, were not too worried about it, and kept pressing forward!

Ok, the clouds were moving in WAY too fast, it looked like someone was hitting the fast forward button on a VHS tape! So of course, I had to stop and take pictures...for the blog. As we kept on foraging our way towards the stadium, the winds were getting harsher with every passing second and I thought I was gonna get blown off the sidewalk! It was the most blustery windstorm I had ever been caught in, and while we kept on moving forward some families took cover under a tree, hoping the winds would soon calm down.

Then it started POURING. Insanely ridiculous downpour! As the raindrops fell, they stung the backside of my legs with every single pelting drop. It burns it burns! We were instantly soaked...as were the poor tickets. My mom & I took off our California sandals/espadrilles and continued barefoot to the LaVell Edwards stadium, only to find that because of the monsoon-like weather and lightening, that the game had been cancelled until further notice. 

Ryan's extensive football knowledge gave us hope that the game would go on. He said that once the lightening stops, they will start a 55 minute countdown until kickoff; this was then confirmed by our good friends on Twitter. The boys hiked to the other side of campus to grab the car while my mom & I drip dried under the bless-ed cover of the Hinckley building. 

It would then become absolutely necessary to procure some delicious 7-11 hot chocolate {my favorite} on the way home to dry off & warm up at the 'lil yellow brick house. Once we got to the house...did we forget to close the windows before we left? Why yes, of course! We ran around closing windows, mopping up puddles, throwing sopping wet clothes in the dryer, and blow-drying tickets...waiting with baited breath for go-time. 

From ByuTv we got the go-ahead. Game time. 55 minute countdown starts now. SCORE.

We put on our newly warm & dried clothes, found an even closer parking spot and walked amongst the excited BYU fans to the stadium. We were FINALLY here!

Seeing as how we are a basketball family, we drew on Ryan's football knowledge {ahem, obsession} when needing clarification on rules and calls. We cheered when we needed to, which was the most important part. And how often did we sing the BYU victory song? TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT {ok, I'm sure you could count it, but it was a lot}. It was freaking awesome! We picked the best game ever to come to! And you know what? It only sprinkled a couple times the entire game. Completely amazing, especially since we were stuck in a massive thunderstorm only a couple hours previous.

After the game we hit up Smiths to pick up some lasagna & pizza to make for dinner. We made food then promptly fell asleep. We were all tuckered out! Granted, even with the rain it was probably some of the best fun I've had in a while. Go Cougs!

Impending Graduation + Senior Year

{Tuesday was our first day back to school, and of course I made Ryan take first day pictures!}

This is my last full semester of classes {14 credits worth}, then I have my stupid American Heritage class to take {I know, I know...why didn't I take it sooner?! Cause I hate scary history classes, that's why}...then I'm finally done. I'll walk in April and it feels so surreal. I've been pluggin' away at school for so long, I don't know even know what it's like to not be scheduling my life between semesters and classes. Something that has been hanging over my head for the past month or so, is what kind of jobs I should start applying for? I've been putting off the thought for so long, just thinking: "Oh, I'll figure it out when I am about to graduate". Ummm, ya. That's kinda soon. Especially since I'll be a part time student next semester, which means I need to find work starting in January. 

I will graduate with a Family Studies degree {emphasis in therapy}, a Music minor {emphasis in vocals}, a slew of Interior Design/Art History/Architecture classes, and Communications courses. What the heck are you going to do with all of that? Well my friend, that is an excellent question. I love design, fashion, business, and working with people...so maybe something along those lines? While teaching voice lessons on the side? All I know is that whatever I set my mind to, I can accomplish. Nothing really stands in my way...that is when I actually have some sense of direction. Note to self, add to the to-do list: "find some life direction".

A PR Giraffe

{Drawing by Grant Myres}

I had a quiz in my Intro to Public Relations class today, and no matter what age you are...

quizzes are always bad news bears.

 I'm pretty sure the whole class did horrible on it {which is oddly comforting} judging from all the groaning that went on while correcting it.

The quiz was about ethics in public relations...hopefully this giraffe will save us all.

A Beachy Date Night

Last night Ryan & I went to The Ultimate Beach Date at the Provo Beach Resort.

It was so fun!!!

We did the mini croquet course {which I of course sucked at, so I pretty much cheated the whole time}, we went bowling with our friend Alexa, and listed to The Brocks play {they were pretty good!}

This was my first time at the Provo Beach Resort, and it was pretty cool! 

If I can't get the real beach & pier, I'll totally take this as the next best option :)

It was nice to have a night when we didn't have to worry about homework, work, or cleaning the house. Sometimes we get a little distracted with those things and forget to make time for us to just have fun together!

Some of the highlights of the night were:

+ Meeting Sarah from Wearing It On My Sleeves, her & Matt are adorable and she was so sweet! 

I love meeting new bloggers!

+ Me cheating during the croquet course and kicking it into the hoops with Ryan freaking out cause he was trying to keep score. PSH. I always win.

+ Watching people totally BIFF it on the wave rider thing, we seriously sat and watched strangers for at least 20 minutes doing that. Cheap entertainment.

+ Going through the Lazer Frezy, pretending to be a spy and hitting one of the lasers with my massive blogger bun, oops.

+ Bowling with the bumpers while Ryan & Alexa braved it with no bumpers. 

Then being named "Fun Size" for the game and getting "BUMPER LOVER!" yelled at me from behind when I was trying to concentrate on my craft...they just don't understand the art of chucking it at the bumper to make it go back and forth until it hits the pins. Amateurs.

+ Driving home with Ryan and him holding my hand and saying "You know what? You are still my favoritest date." Ummmm, cuteness.

If you follow me on Insta, you would have seen that I posted that jeep on top of a mound of snow that was way taller than me, I found it printed in the school newspaper The Daily Universe!

Maybe now BYU will listen to me and put in a parking structure,

 so it doesn't take me 15 minutes to stalk people to their cars and take their spots...

Married in Provo

{Walking home from school in the warmth...aka 30 degrees}

Provo, Utah
Where LDS young adults from all of the country {and world} come to attend Brigham Young University to complete their schooling...aaaaaand to more importantly find a husband or wife.

When you are single and in the dating game here, you immediately "ring check" a cute potential date to make sure they aren't married.
And you always have this thought floating in the back of your mind when meeting someone new:

 "Could this person be who I marry??"

Honestly, it is such a weird culture.

Now that I've been married for almost 2 years and am almost graduated from BYU,

 it's funny to see how people who are 'single' react to me.

{It's sad that we even divide people by singles or marrieds...

it reminds me of muggles & wizards. Nerd alert.}

One thing that I literally want to run around and SCREAM in people's faces on campus is:

"STOP CONFUSING MY KINDNESS FOR FLIRTING"

Seriously though.

You hold a door open for someone, say hello, talk to them in class,

 or even more shocking...you dare SMILE at them?!

Provo-ites construe that as flirting, and if you have a ring on?

They are appalled that you even went out of your way and did anything nice because if you didn't already know...you're MARRIED and cannot treat anyone 'single' as a human being.

Ohhhhh Provo.
*defeated sigh*

*Click here for more info on the Valentine's Blogger Bash*

Chivalry IS Dead, I See

Yesterday afternoon, I rush to get ready 

seeing as how I have a class at 2pm and I'm definitely going to be late to it.

Ryan drops me off at school and I rush up to the Communication building on campus.

I'm 10 minutes late. Crap.

I find the classroom, open the door and bump into some people on the floor,

there were so many people crammed into the classroom trying to add the course,

that there were extra students sitting on the floor.

The guy next to me takes the liberty to fill me in on what I had missed,

when I see out of the corner of my eye, some guy smirking at me from the front row.

Turns out that it's my best friend Grant!

I smile and discreetly wave to him, then proceed to pull out my laptop and take notes.

20 minutes into class I notice that Grant is putting on his jacket.

Why is he doing that? It's not even cold in here!

Then he puts his belongings away in his backpack.

Graaaaaant. Did you know there is still an hour left in class?

He gets up out of his seat and walks over to me saying, quietly:

"Go over there and you take my seat"

The whole class is watching, the teacher stops lecturing for a bit while I gather my things to go sit smack in front of the classroom in a chair.

The old teacher then says:

"Well I guess chivalry isn't dead!"

I take my seat at the front, beaming with my uncanny ability to find just the bestest friends in the world...

when I notice all the guys around me are looking at one another.

They are all sneakily surveying the class, waiting to see who the next guy will be to give up their seat for the other 2 girls sitting on the ground. 

NONE OF THEM GET UP.

I was appalled to say the least.

{Grant & I circa 2010, before he left for his LDS mission}

No one in the class knew that Grant was my best friend.

So, for all they know it was a complete stranger giving up their seat for a girl on the ground.

This is BYU for pete's sake and NOT ONE GUY got up off of their fancy behinds to give up their seat for one of the young ladies sitting on the ground.

Even after one guy had already paved the way and given up his seat for me.

Wow.

That's pretty much all I can spit out.

Is chivalry and common courtesy totally dead?

Is it considered "weak" if a guy gives up his seat, holds a door open for a girl,
 or speaks to her with kindness and respect?

What do you all think about this?

Comment discussion!

End of Finals Celebration

Yesterday morning, my last final of the Fall semester was at 7 IN THE MORNING.

GAG.

When I woke up it was still dark outside.

I probably will never be a morning person, it's so heinous.

After I rocked my architecture final, I went back home and roused Ryan from his slumber to run some errands and scarf down some celebratory Kneaders french toast.

Yummmmm.

We were busy all day: gym, errands, gift shopping, family, etc.

Then Ryan asked me on a date :)

Let me first rewind before I continue on with last nights antics...

a few nights ago Ryan went up to Salt Lake with his friend to drop off his friend's sis-in-law at one of her finals, the boys had obviously hit up the mall because when they got back I saw a bag with my favorite logo on it....

Anthropologie.

"Christmas presents??"

"Yes...but I can't wait till then, can you please open it now so I know that you like it?"

I ripped it open and laying inside was this beautiful dress.

"When I saw it in the store I just knew my wife had to wear it, and I got some matching earrings so you can wear the whole outfit on a date."

Fast forward back to last night and here is the outfit!

It is soooo adorable, the perfect size, and I just love that he picked it out by himself.

Makes my heart melt!

We grabbed a smoothie, walked around the Riverwoods, and then saw Lincoln.

Wow, what an amazing movie.

Overall, it was a great day to end my Fall semester :)

Finals Week

For all you students out there, I totally feel your pain of horrendous finals week.BLEHHHHHH.I have a research paper due tomorrow night & 3 tests to take by Wednesday!I'm trying to not be a complete procrastinator and I'm going to knock out that dumb paper tonight.It's so hard to focus when all I want to do is go snowboarding, make my jewelry holder, drink hot chocolate, go to a Christmas party, wear tons of glitter and sequins, make gingerbread houses, go gift shopping, wrap presents, and make tasty treats to deliver to my friends!Welp, as soon as these tests are over & done with....Christmas overload here I come :)

first day

So I'm sure you are wondering why Ryan & I have our fingers up for our obligatory "First Day of School" pictures.

Ever since I can remember, my mom would take first day pictures...

but have us hold up the number of fingers that correlated with our grade that year.

Not to make a cute picture or anything, it was all so she can remember what picture goes with what school year.

Clever mom, verrrry clever.

Ryan is holding up an 11 for his Junior year and I'm holding up a 12 for my Senior year!

Hopefully I can graduate by Summer and not be a Super Senior....yikes!

I'm majoring in Family Studies with minors in Communications and Music.

And no, I haven't a clue what I'm going to do with all of that. 

But hey. At least I'll be well-rounded :)

Classes I'm taking this semester:

History of Interior Design & Architecture

Forming Marital Relationships

University Chorale

Advanced Family Processes

Theories of Family Perspective

Yoga

Do you want to know the secret to a fantastic first day of school?

Despite having classes from 9-3 then work from 4:30-10?

WEAR FLORAL/COLORED/PRINTED JEANS.

I got compliments all day long which boosted my confidence level, and they were an awesome conversation ice breaker which turned into lots of friends in all my classes.

Score. 

How was your first day?

<3 Bri